Turquoise
From China

Chinese Turquoise

The Chinese have been mining
turquoise for at least 3700 years.
This estimate is based on the find of bronze
work with turquoise overlays that date back
to 1700 B.C. It is believed, however,
that ancient Chinese civilizations imported
most of their turquoise, probably from
Persia (Iran). Turquoise was
used to carve statues and other art pieces,
preferring jade for their jewelry.

Some turquoise comes from the Shanghai region,
where the Ma'ashan turquoise mine is located, but most is
produced in the Hubei Province, shown in the map above.
Turquoise from the Hubei region sometimes obtains the brilliant
blues long favored by turquoise enthusiasts. Some of
the mines in this area include the Huangcheng Mine, the
Jinliantong Mine, and the Labashan Mine, all in Zhushan of the
Shiyan Prefecture.

One often reads that China produces 80 percent of the world's
current output of turquoise. We have found no independent confirmation for
this figure. We do not doubt it, given our own familiarity with the
operations of turquoise wholesale suppliers. However, we suspect that someone,
somewhere once posted the 80 percent figure, and that other sites accepted it
uncritically. If anyone is aware of objective market share data that can
shed light on this issue, please email us.

Chinese turquoise is usually
stabilized with a clear epoxy to harden and
seal it.